Twelve months after theft of the control box and subsequent vandalism of the solar pump at Windsorton Station in Warrenton, Magareng municipality has still not restored water supply to the area. This is affecting the lives of about 40 residents who are solely dependent on borehole water.
On 15 October 2023, the day of the incident, the Democratic Alliance (DA) submitted a written letter to the Magareng Municipal Manager asking for an urgent intervention. We also raised this matter at every committee and council meeting since the incident, further submitting complaints in writing.
In March this year, we were hopeful that there had been a breakthrough after the Municipal Manager finally indicated his intention to investigate the replacement of the control box and repair of the solar pump. To help speed up the process, the DA submitted a quotation and invoice for the control box and pump to the municipality.
By April, the pump was still not operational and the situation worsened after two solar panels at the installation were stolen. The remaining six were since removed for safekeeping. This has significantly increased total expenditure required to repair and replace the parts at the pump.
Another six months down the line, I have not received a response to a subsequent complaint filed in September. Following oversight to the pump station, by myself and Harold McGluwa, Provincial Leader, we can also confirm that the situation is worse than ever, as warmer temperatures raise the demand for water, while ongoing inaction by Magareng continues to violate residents’ right to access to water.
The DA intermittently supplies residents of Windsorton Station with water to help provide relief. We will continue fighting to protect human rights and will submit a new complaint to the South African Human Rights (SAHRC). We will also escalate this matter to the MEC of COGHSTA and to our COGTA spokesperson in parliament.
The limitation of water by the Magareng municipality cannot be justified, nor can their punishment of the poor by their ongoing failing to address this growing water crisis.